The newly constituted Board of Nigeria Nationwide League One has approved a total of 180 teams to participate in the 2017 season.
Chaired by Mohammed Alkali, the Board at its first meeting after the inauguration in Abuja took the following decisions as released by the Executive Secretary, Mr Olushola Ogunnowo:
The Board approved the 2017 Season calendar and directs the secretariat to ensure compliance
The Board approved the total number of teams in division one (60), Division two (70) and Division three (50), this adjustment was necessitated by the request from would be sponsor that requested for more matches.
The Chairman promised a new dawn for the Nationwide League One and assures all the Clubs of his commitment to move the League Forward
The Board resolved that the Secretariat should not register any club that has not reconcile their account and that no Club should be on the fixtures without paying for registration
The Board assured the Clubs that everything within their capabilities are presently been worked on to alleviate the financial condition of NLO Club owners
The Board gave kudos to the Secretariat for consistency and the Premium Sports Management Services (NLO Official Marketing Consultant)
The Board as directed the Secretariat to reduce the grouping in division two from eight to six geo-political zones only and allow the teams that comes first in each group at the end of the season to get automatic promotion to division one and allows the 6 runners up to fight for the remaining two slot in a play-off. (An example of English Championship). The essence of this is to give the runners up in each group something to fight for and equally makes the league to be more competitive.
The Board also directs that from 2017 Season all clubs registering in the Nationwide League One must have register minimum of 10 players that are between the ages of 15-19 years, and by year 2020 no football player above 23 years will be allowed to play in the Nationwide League, this is to enable NLO attain the developmental league status. The Board is also in talk with the NFF Technical department of the possibility of adopting the NLO as a scout ground for Nigeria age group Teams.
On a final note the Chairman assured all the Clubs that from 2017 season NLO matches will be on Television because the Secretariat and the Marketing consultant has done more than enough job to get deal done with one of the Major Cable TV in Nigeria.
